Locked On Colts - Daily Podcast On The Indianapolis Colts - Indianapolis Colts Drop Anthony Richardson's Debut vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Starting point is 00:00:00 The Colts dropped Anthony Richardson's debut on Sunday, but what were our first impressions of the rookie's performance overall? Let's get to it. You are Locked On Colts, your daily Indianapolis Colts podcast. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. What up, what up? Thanks for tuning in and making us your first listen post-game for Colts Jaguars. This is your daily podcast covering your Indianapolis Colts, part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day.

Starting point is 00:00:47 And today's show is sponsored by LinkedIn Jobs, which helps you find the qualified candidates that you want to actually talk to faster. Post your job for free at linkedin.com slash locked on NFL. That's linkedin.com slash locked on NFL to post your job for free. Terms and conditions apply. Welcome to the show, everybody. I'm Jake Arthur. He is Zach Hicks. As you'll see, he's got a little different view, a little different vibe today. Some technical difficulties has got him using his phone. So I'm going to be carrying some weight today. Apologies in advance for the production value.

Starting point is 00:01:21 You always carry the weight anyway, Jake. So I mean, it is what it is, you know. All I need is your analysis anyways. That's what the weight anyway, Jake. So, I mean, it's, it is what it is, you know, all I need is your analysis. Anyways, that's what you're, that's what you're really here for. Right. Anyways, you know, the two of us from horseshoehuddle.com, uh, the most lovable analysts in the game. And honestly, who's not so excited for Zach right now, Anthony Richardson and Shane Steichen made their debut today. A little clunky, but I mean, we got stuff to work off of now. So again, 31 to 21 loss to the Jaguars. The Colts were not expected to win this one. Kind of a bummer because they did have a lead later in the game. Too much time left on the clock for just a better team and a better offense. Ultimately, the Colts kind of fell apart there at the end, which again, kind of to be expected.

Starting point is 00:02:06 It doesn't feel icky after it did after most of the Colts losses last year, though. So what we're going to do with these postgame pieces, you know, until we find some sort of routine or something that is ironclad with Anthony Richardson, we're going to start following up with his performance first, each of these postgame, and then we'll move on to the offense and defense, those as a whole. So, Zach, what did you think of Richardson? Personally, I thought passed a lot more.

Starting point is 00:02:37 I didn't expect 37 passes in his first game. 24-37 for 223, touchdown and an interception. Literally just like I called it a mixed bag. I really don't know what else to say. Like pretty not bad, but like overall some good and bad. Yeah, you know, I would say that mixed bag is a proper way to evaluate this game from Anthony Richardson, but I will say that the mixed bag is more on the positive side

Starting point is 00:03:01 than the negative side for him after this game. You know, like there's legit concern going into this game that Richardson could have had a game where he completed 40 percent of his passes and threw like two or three picks and we're talking about how like okay guys wait just be patient it's going to take a lot of time whereas the conversation after this game is really Richardson looked pretty good like it's just the offense was ugly and didn't flow and he didn't look super comfortable in the pocket just the offense was ugly and didn't flow and he didn't look super comfortable in the pocket and the offense itself just didn't look super comfortable and a lot of play designs uh him and Steichen both didn't look that comfortable but for the

Starting point is 00:03:35 most part you could see the upside there you could see the potential and you could see the really good moments I I really don't come away from this game thinking lesser of Anthony so I'm actually thinking hey this is like again there will be worse thinking, hey, this is – like, again, there will be worse moments than this, but if this is as low as it gets, like this is the most uncomfortable he looks, the most unsteady he looks this whole year, I will take 260 total yards, two touchdowns, and a pick. Like, that's perfectly fine if this is like one of the lower moments

Starting point is 00:04:02 of the season for him. So, obviously, there's going to be some bad moments. There's going to be a lot of up and down play from him but for the most part we saw the rushing ability we saw his his quick arm and his strong arm and the ability to get the ball out there on those rpos and quick hitters and we saw the playmakers at times you know when they got the ball in their hands when the offense wasn't super clunky they were able to make some plays happen kylan granson had a good game michael pitman jr had that long touchdown a couple other really nice plays so i'm not really coming away from this game thinking anything negative about richardson i'm actually thinking like okay once there's a comfort level from him and steichen and some of the other players

Starting point is 00:04:39 in this offense i think this offense can be workable like i think there is some potential with this offense so yeah i mean rookie quarterback debuts are tough. Rookie debuts are typically terrible. I mean, what, Anthony Richardson broke the Colts completion percentage record for rookie quarterback debut in this game with, like, 64%. Like, that's not even that high of a completion percentage. So it's just how it is with rookie quarterbacks. But I thought he looked fine out there, and I liked a lot of what I saw. Yeah. Talking about completion percentage,

Starting point is 00:05:08 I feel like Andrew Luck had a hell of games where he was under 60%, like under 55. Like Andrew Luck had some of those spotting games too. But no, I thought it was a pretty good performance. Again, I'm not really measuring wins and losses this year because that's just not what it's about. You want to just look at how these young guys are doing. And it may lead to more boring, frustrating football times. But the fact that kind of the game plan or at least the flow dictated Richardson take a lot of shorter passes today. And, you know, keeping his eye off downfield, like just focus on what's in front of you and what the defense is giving you. I kind of like that because that's a big part of his game

Starting point is 00:05:48 that needed ironed out. So it's week one. Like get that kind of stuff in there right away. That's fine with me. Yeah, the one thing I really want to go back on, though, is that comfort level. And I think a lot of the Colts' inconsistencies in this game came from him and Steichen's just uncomfortable level

Starting point is 00:06:04 of being in the positions they're at. You know, they're rookies in their first overall game in their respective roles. And you could see from Shane Steichen, there was some timid play calling. There were some moments where he overthought some things. But again, this is day one. This is game one for him. There's 17 games to get this ironed out. And then you have, you know, the next couple of years as well. And the same with Richardson. You know, know there were a couple read option plays or RPO plays where he just made the wrong decision there were a couple pockets that he bailed from too early there were a couple times where it's like oh you could have run it here but you threw it or you threw it here when

Starting point is 00:06:36 you could have run it so there's just things that he needs to get more comfortable with under center and just in the overall feel of a football game but But I didn't think we, I mean, I saw what three to four passes where the accuracy was a big issue. You know, he sailed like two passes. I mean, the interception wasn't really an accuracy issue. It was more of a spacing issue from the, from the wide outs and also him just trying to force some things late in the game. It happens.

Starting point is 00:07:00 I don't think that was overly bad moment there from him. So I didn't really see too many big accuracy issues from him. And it just really came down to the flow of the game for this offense and not having a cohesive running game, which we're going to talk about in our next segment when we talk about offense and why that running game did struggle. But yeah, I mean, if I'm just grading Anthony Richardson in this game, I mean, I give what a B in this one. Like I really do think he did some good things. I know the offense was only, only scored 14 points in this one, but

Starting point is 00:07:29 I really can't complain from anything I saw in this game from him. Yeah, it wasn't any big deal. Honestly, I expected his ball security to be a little worse. There were times this summer, you know, where he had fumbles that weren't very challenging to be, you know, he just was careless with the ball, I guess you could say. And he got hit a lot today. And, you know, his ball security, I thought, was fine. Again, the interception, he described it later as he just threw it too flat, which makes sense. He did.

Starting point is 00:07:56 Yeah, it was a good read. It was a good read. It was the corner route next to the vertical route. And it was a zone coverage play. So as long as that vertical route ran off that deep corner, it was going to be a completion. He just under threw it. Like he threw it too low.

Starting point is 00:08:13 And Tyson Campbell, I mean, we're talking about a vertical jump of near 40 inches, a guy who runs a 4'3", phenomenal athlete, was able to go up and get it. But yeah, no, sorry. I didn't want to interrupt you there, but it was exactly what that was. He just threw it too flat. Right read, not even that terrible of a throw, just a good play by the corner. And it was the third and long, so the corners can be

Starting point is 00:08:33 sitting on that. Yeah. And so other than his performance, one of the most notable things about Richardson, if you just saw the game and haven't seen any reporting since, he did exit the final drive of the game. He got landed on by a couple guys. The injury really came up earlier in the game, but he had to leave the final drive, did not come back. He said his left knee just got a little banged up, but he'll put some ice on it. He'll be fine.

Starting point is 00:09:01 We'll see what his practice load is next week. But both him and Shane Steichen both made it sound pretty chill. Like it's nothing to really worry about. Evan Hull did leave. They're getting a scan on his knee. Hopefully he's all right there. That one, did it look like he was trying to put his knee back in place or like that?

Starting point is 00:09:19 That looked ugly. Like he kept like pushing down on his knee. I was like, oh, that seems. Yeah. And then he opened up his arm his knee. I was like, oh, that seems – that seems dirty. And then he – Yeah, I didn't really see it. I didn't really see it. But every time I see knee injury with a running back, I – you know, it hurts me a little bit.

Starting point is 00:09:35 So hopefully it's not too serious there. Yeah, I don't know. I don't want to make assumptions, but it looked like he was trying to like shove his knee back together. But no, so they'll let us know more about that in the next 24 hours, I'm sure. Drew Ogletree left with a concussion. That's unfortunate because it came on a big, tough 20-yard catch. Hung on to the ball, just got popped pretty hard.

Starting point is 00:09:59 Honestly, he seemed in really good spirits when he was going into the medical tent, but must have just not met enough of the criteria and failed the concussion protocol. So that's something he's going to now have to work through in order to come back whenever he is ready. So yeah, I think that's about it as far as injuries and Anthony Richardson stuff goes. So here in a moment, we'll talk more, you know, more in detail about the offense. There were guys out there, barely. They're so razor thin at certain positions that aren't named Anthony Richardson. But first, we're going to tell you guys about LinkedIn.

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Starting point is 00:11:03 and ultimately hire. That's why small businesses rate LinkedIn Jobs number one in delivering quality hires versus the leading competitors. LinkedIn Jobs helps you find the qualified candidates that you want to talk to faster. Post your job for free at linkedin.com slash locked on NFL. That's linkedin.com slash locked on NFL to post your job for free. Terms and conditions apply. And every dayers, of course, stick with us throughout the week. We're getting into the groove. It's a normal game week now. Just like the Colts, there's going to be some repetition of their schedule.

Starting point is 00:11:36 We will be the same way. We're going to have certain themes. I'm sure we're going to break out each day, you know, each week. So keep an eye on that. We're, of course, going to digest more of this film, you know, just like the coaches and players always say, I got to go check the film. We're going to do the same thing. We're going to kind of bring you some updates, plus updates about those injured guys, you know, more news and notes that are, that are coming out all the time. So Zach, looking specifically at the offense, non Anthony Richardson related,

Starting point is 00:12:04 there's some, there'sAnthony Richardson related, there's a couple guys here, pass catchers in particular, that had decent games. Michael Pittman Jr. went for 97 yards on eight catches and a touchdown, probably the most impressive touchdown of his career. Took kind of an intermediate throw and then took it 39 yards for a catch-and-run touchdown and actually outran guys. Not that he's not a fast guy, but he's like a 4'5 guy, and you just don't see him in the open field with room to run very often.

Starting point is 00:12:33 But credit to him, that touchdown was mostly him, so I was pretty impressed by him. Yeah, I mean, his calling card his rookie season was his run-after-catch ability. Now when you have a quarterback like Anthony Richardson, where where again, not every pass is going to be perfect, not every pass is going to be on the money. It's great to have a receiver who is 6'4 and really good after the catch. Like Pittman, again, he's not someone who's going to pull past everybody. I mean, he did on this screenplay that he turned into a touchdown, but he is the type of player where

Starting point is 00:13:03 he's going to run through contact, and he's going to turn five-yard gains into 10, 15, 20-yard gains at times. So to get him the ball in space like that, especially on that screen play, I think it was on the second and 22 after Will Fries' weird blindside block call. Yeah, whatever the heck that call was. I believe it came right after that, so it was a really good play mixing there to get that quick screen, get those positive yards, and Pittman took a play that should have been a 10 to 15 yard gain. He turned it into a long touchdown. That's what you need for a young quarterback.

Starting point is 00:13:33 You need someone who can turn those big plays out there for your young quarterback and make life easy for him. So yeah, Michael Pittman Jr.'s slow first half, kind of expected because Tyson Campbell is one of the best corners in football, and he was kind of all over him there in the first half kind of expected because Tyson Campbell is one of the best corners in football and he was kind of all over him there in the first half but you got in the ball in the second half and he kind of replaced all that receiving production that they lost in that first half there so a good game for Michael Pittman Jr. and for everyone who was scared of his impact with Anthony Richardson it appeared like it was still there today yeah and a couple guys with you know they've also got growing chemistry with him Kylan granson four

Starting point is 00:14:05 catches for 39 yards josh downs three for 30 those guys look like they're they're really clicking like richardson's not necessarily clicking with everyone in the past game yet but those three in general especially granson has been going for a while downs has been going for a while i like what i see there especially that plate play to Downs where there's some about there's that little delay, and then Richardson just kind of side-armed it right up the middle of the field to Downs for about a 20-yard gain. Those two got something going on. Yeah, that was an empty personnel set, and you had Downs as the weak side number two. He was

Starting point is 00:14:43 matched up with, I think, Andre Sisco, the safety in the slot there, and that's what you're trying to get in that matchup. You're trying to get your quick win wide receiver either on the weak side two or strong side three so he can beat that easy coverage matchup. So what Downs did there is he had a little bit of an option choice route. He could have gone in. He could have gone out. He could have come back for the little hitch route.

Starting point is 00:15:03 He gives a little shimmy to Sisco. Sisco bites outside. Downs goes inside. And Richardson's on the same page with him. And you get a really big game there. That was the Eagles bread and butter last year with Devonta Smith. That's exactly what they used with him on a lot of plays. So having Downs in that role early on and having those two on the same page, too.

Starting point is 00:15:21 Because, again, with a choice route, you never know. Like, as a quarterback route you never know like as a quarterback you're kind of waiting for your receiver to make their move and you have to anticipate which way they're going to go you know so if you want to lead your player and get them into that tight window you have to say oh downs is probably going inside here so you're throwing it inside but you can't guess wrong where it's going to be a pick six so the fact that they had that chemistry and they were able to connect on that that inside shmy move on that option route just speaks volumes to their chemistry. I really wish they were more involved in the second half, getting more empty personnel, getting more downs out in space against easier matchups.

Starting point is 00:15:55 But again, it's such a feeling out process for this offense right now. It's a completely new coaching staff, completely new quarterback, new weapons in Josh Downs and a couple linemen in there too. It's a very, very new offense. They're going to figure it out. They're going to find what works for them, and they're going to flow with that rhythm. A lot of this was feeling it out, and seeing Josh Downs in that kind of play I think is something you want to keep going forward.

Starting point is 00:16:19 Yeah, I mean, credit to you for correctly picking out that those guys would have had the recipe there to have a pretty good game. One guy who did not give very many looks, Alec Pierce, one catch for five yards. Against this defense, this just probably wasn't his matchup. You know, like his time will come, but he's a downfield specialist, and the Colts just did not push the ball downfield. Yeah, and again, Richardson is not comfortable yet in the pocket. You could see it in this game.

Starting point is 00:16:46 Like there were moments where he slid up in the pocket and you're like, oh, okay, there's that poise we're looking for. And I'm not saying that Richardson wasn't poised in this game, but I don't know if a long developing play would have worked for him in this one because he was still getting his sea legs under him. You know, like he was still really trying to get into the groove of the game, and especially against this Jaguars defense where they have two really good corners Darius Williams and Tyson Campbell if you're going to have this really long developing play with your quarterback who's not ready and you're going to throw it into coverage with those guys and Andre Sisco rolling deep too it's it's just not a recipe for success especially when you're able to hit downs underneath or Pittman Jr. on screens and have those go like sure retrospect we could have said hey you only scored 14 points so why not take a couple shots and longer developing plays but you have to kind of i kind of put this in one of my articles

Starting point is 00:17:34 you have to manage you have to kind of find that perfect medium between letting richardson play but also protecting him from being overwhelmed in day one. So I think Steichen erred a little bit too cautiously at times in this game, and I think he's going to learn from that going forward. But that's kind of where we saw the lack of long developing plays, because you just don't want to put too much on his plate in week one and have him struggle because of that. So it kind of goes both ways. Alec Pierce was unfortunately one of the major downsides to that.

Starting point is 00:18:07 He had, what, two targets in this one, one catch for five yards. I think we'll see more involvement as the year goes along and they get more of those longer developing plays in. It's just this game plan was a lot of the short passing game and the quick runs, and it didn't really work, but that was what the game plan was. You know, something else that didn't work was the run game i can't help but think that this offense could really use a jonathan taylor type to a

Starting point is 00:18:33 degree i think i think where this run game really struggled in this one though was just it's such a different run scheme than frank reich's run scheme right like. Frank Reich's run scheme was a lot of under center stuff, a lot of under center, especially with Jonathan Taylor, because Jonathan Taylor is more comfortable running under center. So they're doing a lot of single eye stuff, a lot of duo and zone rushes from there, where this scheme is a lot of read option, a lot of motion, a lot of getting guys moving and some pull pulling going from the interior and

Starting point is 00:19:05 stuff and you could really see that like yes i think with jonathan taylor he probably manages to get to like 40 yards rushing in this game with deon jackson's carries but like that's like 3.8 yards to carry like it was going to be a bad rushing day regardless because this o-line is just not used to this running scheme right now and they're going through a lot of growing pains with it they were missing blocks. I mean, Jackson didn't help. He had just a horrendous football game, two fumbles on 12 touches or whatever it was, and like a yard per carry.

Starting point is 00:19:34 And he wasn't making guys miss whatsoever. So I'm not trying to absolve him from anything here. But this offensive line just wasn't – like it wasn't like they weren't moving guys either. It's just there was no cohesivity in the running game at all they could not get the the right hat on the right guy they couldn't get the right guy out of the right hole and as a result Jackson was just running into a brick wall all day and yes he made it worse by fumbling he made it much worse by fumbling twice but yeah I think the run game will be fine going forward I didn't I didn't see anything that made

Starting point is 00:20:03 me like cry about it or anything. But, yeah, Jonathan Taylor would help. Jonathan Taylor would certainly help. Yeah, and so Anthony Richardson did take – there's four sacks on the box score, but to me that's kind of just a box score scouting thing. Some of those were him, you know, running up in the pocket. Like, it – and he holds on to the ball for a while too. He's, you know, know the rookies they do that so I didn't think the offensive line and pass pro was as bad as the four sacks looks

Starting point is 00:20:30 there's room for improvement for sure I don't know of course he's still kind of scattered a little bit I was fine with the pass protection I think some people did have a problem with it but in general like you've got to assume it's probably going to get a little better as everyone gets used to each other. Yeah. And two of those sacks were for no gain or one yard. I mean, two of Josh Allen's sacks were at the line of service. Richardson going up in the pocket or about to run those things. Yeah. There was two sacks in this game. I mean, yes, technically there were four sacks, but two of Josh Allen's sacks were one was a zero yard gain, which might honestly get turned over in the scoring book afterwards, and the other one was a one-yard loss on a coverage sack.

Starting point is 00:21:09 Like, the O-line was not that bad. I didn't come away thinking that this was like a Matt Ryan-esque offensive line in front of him at all. Yeah, so coming up here in a second, we're going to talk about a side of the ball that was actually a lot more fun to watch today, and that's the defense. But first, let's discuss fantasy. hopefully you guys had a great fantasy spread today but get ready for the rest of the nfl season with incredible offers from fan duel america's number one sports book right now new customers can bet five dollars and get 200 and bonus bets back

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Starting point is 00:22:17 It was really nice. Good to see a lot of you guys in person there. Again, these will continue throughout the season before each home game. The link for getting your tickets, which is going to be at a new lower price now, go ahead and you can get that in the show notes. And I'll keep plugging that throughout the year as well. But at Nevermore, get lost in literality and experience a place filled with intricate design and immersive experiences. From upscale food and spirits to music and entertainment, Nevermore will never be a predictable destination for you. There's 25,000 square feet featuring multiple rooms.

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Starting point is 00:23:28 So, Zach, the defense was, the vibes were better. We got a big man touchdown. That was a fun play. But we got to start with Trevor Lawrence, or what they did against Trevor Lawrence, particularly to Forrest Buckner. I mean, we get these standout games from him at least a few times a year, but it's week one, and he put an all-pro game out there. Several tackles, was living in the backfield, had the sack,

Starting point is 00:23:55 which caused the first fumble and then recovers the second fumble for a touchdown. The guy was everywhere. I thought the defensive line in general was pretty good. Yeah, you know, I did see a lot of comments from people saying there wasn't enough pressure from the defensive line. I do think for the first quarter and a half that could be true, especially on that first touchdown to Calvin Ridley.

Starting point is 00:24:14 They just didn't get enough pressure because it was a busted stunt plus two chips on the outside. It was a really good protection call by the Jaguars, and the Colts just did not counter it at all. They did force him out of the pocket, though I mean yeah that was mostly a coverage thing but yeah yeah I mean he was he did have to move there uh but I think after that after that first quarter and a half they really settled down Quidipe had quite a few good rushes in this one I I think he's going to come away with this game from like four or five pressures overall along with that

Starting point is 00:24:41 sack that he had uh DeForest Muckner like you said, looked like an all-pro. And then if you look at the run defense, I mean, for the most part, outside of that one Travis Etienne touchdown at the end, the run defense was phenomenal. I mean, Grover Stewart was playing like Grover Stewart. Buckner had several tackles in the backfield. Samson Nabukam and Quidipe also had a couple run stops for a loss. So run defense was good overall. No real complaints there. Pass rush got better as the game went on. Linebackers played well. Young corners held their own. I know it's going to say 31 points, but again, the Colts offense was anemic in the second half in terms of moving the ball. The Jaguars were constantly getting the ball at their own 40 or better in terms of field

Starting point is 00:25:21 position. This Colts defense really played well. Like, it's not going to say it in the box score, but they played against a superstar quarterback, and they held their own for a majority of that game. So I really don't have too many complaints about the Colts defense. I thought they were a huge catalyst in the Colts staying close in this game. And but I mean, almost winning it late. I mean, they were up, you know, they were up with five minutes left to have a chance in this game. It really came down to the Colts defense playing super well. Yeah. I mean, you said the 31 points that the Colts offense was two of 12 on third down one of five on fourth down, I think one in three in the red zone.

Starting point is 00:25:56 It's like, of course, like it could have been a lot worse. So the offense wasn't as bad as it was last year, but the defense largely held up. It's in the bargain. I mean, they forced Jacksonville three of 12 on third down and one of three on fourth down. Several big stops from them. You mentioned the linebackers.

Starting point is 00:26:15 Shaquille Leonard, you could tell after he got that first solo tackle, like he was in it. Like that guy was juiced the entire game. Like it was really good to see him back. Made a couple nice plays, you know, breaking up things in the backfield. Zyra Franklin had, like, 18 tackles. Like, their linebackers were flying around. EJ Speed blew up that one little screen pass.

Starting point is 00:26:35 Like, these three linebackers, now that you've got all three of them going, I mean, it sucks that you don't have Bobby Okereke anymore, but they're in good hands with those three starting. Yeah. No, it was a good game defensively overall. it sucks that you don't have Bobby O'Kerrick anymore, but they're in good hands with those three starting. Yeah, no, it was, it was a good, it was a good game defensively.

Starting point is 00:26:48 Overall linebackers played really well. Like you said. And one thing I did want to transition to the corners real quick, because I do see some comments, people saying Calvin Ridley was torching us and stuff like, look at the end of the day, good offense beats good defense. And if you're watching a lot of these plays in this game like colts schematically on defense not bad a lot of the colts defenders defensive players

Starting point is 00:27:11 not out of position not doing anything wrong it's just at the end of the day you're playing against a superstar quarterback and a really good wide receiver and calvin ridley and i mean zay jones and evan ingram both made some outstanding plays this guy zay jones's touchdown is like a one in 100 chance of happening. Yeah, that was absurd. It was an absurd touchdown catch. Phenomenal catch. Evan Ingram's super deep catch down the sideline over Darryl Baker Jr. too.

Starting point is 00:27:35 Phenomenal catch. Like, at the end of the day, you live with those because there's not really much you can do there. Sure, you'd love to make a play on those balls. Sure, you'd love to make a play on those balls sure you'd love to to somehow knock those away but this is a good offense they played against it's a good offense it's a young defense too they were flying around like you said they they stipend them on third down and fourth down a lot in this game uh they had the jaguars second guessing themselves a lot on third and fourth down and just running some really crazy plays because they were just trying to do anything to get third and fourth down conversions on the

Starting point is 00:28:08 Colts. So yeah, sure. They, they allow, you know, the two scores late in the game, but I think this is a really, really strong game from this Colts defense. And they look like they're picking up where they started last year, you know, where they were to start last season, where they were really like keeping the Colts in a lot of games. They look like that kind of defense yet again, this year, and despite not having Stephon Gilmore out there at that corner. They had Daryl Baker Jr. and Dallas Flowers, and I didn't see any glaring mistakes from either of those guys.

Starting point is 00:28:33 So Colts defense I'm feeling pretty darn good about after this one. Yeah, no, that group looks good enough for them to get wherever they want as long as the offense lives up to its end of the bargain. You know, like, again, last year the offense was so bad, so I don't really see that being the case this year. You've got to think there's going to be some offensive improvement coming. Well, Zach, you got anything else for today? No.

Starting point is 00:28:57 One thing I did want to address with Shane Steichen when it came to the fourth down calls, again, it goes back to the Frank Wright thing. A lot of Wright decisions in going for it the fourth down calls. Again, it goes back to the Frank Wright thing. A lot of Wright decisions in going forward on fourth down, just some of the play calls not perfect. I mean, look, the QB sneak play, perfect call. Like, it just didn't convert. What about execution?

Starting point is 00:29:16 Yeah, the O-line didn't get the push. Richardson didn't extend or go forward at all. I don't think he did any QB sneaks last year at Florida, and it really showed on that play. Jackson, I don't know that Jackson really understood Simon either. Yeah, it was an ugly, ugly play, but it's the right call. And the other fourth downs that they went for, I mean, look, those are fourth and twos on the 42-yard line or whatever, or 43.

Starting point is 00:29:41 You go for those. And then the only one that I really would push back on is that toss play to Deion Jackson. I have no clue why they did that one, but I think everyone who watched the game could say that. I like a lot of the process though, with what the Colts did in this game. They just looked like a really young team that is still trying to figure things out, which is fine.

Starting point is 00:30:00 That that's exactly what we expect. They're going to be a team that's going to struggle the first half of the season. We want to see them just pick it up the second half and look like the team that they can be. But there's going to be a lot of rookie mistakes. There's going to be a lot of young mistakes, and especially against a team like the Jaguars, where they're a playoff team. They're a good playoff team with a really good quarterback and an energetic, high-flying defense. So I'm not really too upset about this game. The Colts came out and they played well for the majority of this game. The offense can clean some things up. The defense can clean a little bit up.

Starting point is 00:30:31 But for the most part, this is a good start to a season for a young team with a rookie quarterback, with a rookie head coach. And I'm excited to see where they go from here. Yeah, a lot better than last year's week, one against the same team. So we'll just see how it goes from here. I'm encouraged, though. I think it's only going to get a lot better than last year's week, one against the same team. So we'll just see how it goes from here. I'm encouraged, though. You know, I think it's only going to get a little better. They're going to have some – I don't even consider this game a clunker,

Starting point is 00:30:52 but, like, they're going to have some worse performances than today, and it'll be fine. You just hope these young guys kind of build off of it and get a little bit better. Every day, remember to be back here with us throughout the week. You know, practice is going to get back. We've got some injuries to monitor. We're going to hear from Coach Dykin again tomorrow,

Starting point is 00:31:10 get some word from some of these players. So we'll be back with you. We'll let you know our further thoughts on this game after we watch it again with more detailed eyes. So stay tuned to that. And if you don't already, follow at LockedOnColts, at JakeArthurNFL NFL and at Zach Hicks two on Twitter, also subscribe to Locked on Colts on YouTube and wherever you listen to

Starting point is 00:31:32 podcasts. We would also love your ratings and reviews because that helps us get up the charts. And with that, we will see you guys Tuesday morning.

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